Japan's de facto embassy splashed with paint in protest

2018/09/10 22:53:42

Screenshot taken from 李承龍 (Lee Chen-long) Facebook

Taipei, Sept. 10 (CNA) The entrance to the building which housed Japan's de facto embassy in Taipei, the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (JTEA), was splashed with wet paint on Monday evening by members linked to a pro-Chinese unification political party, according to the Taipei City Police Department (TCPD).

TCPD's Songshan Precinct said a report was made at approximately 5:30 p.m. of four Unionist Party supporters, one female and three male, splashing wet paint all over the building's entrance, foyer and glass panels.

The four involved have since been held in custody by the police for investigation into offenses related to their actions.

According to a video that surfaced online, the incident was said to be in protest against a Japanese national caught on camera appearing to kick Taiwan's first comfort women statue in Tainan earlier this month.

The man was identified to be Mitsuhiko Fujii (藤井實彦), a representative of the Japanese civic group the Alliance for Truth about Comfort Women, according to earlier reports by local media.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) also released a statement on the matter asking people to act in a peaceful, rational and civilized manner.

The public was also asked to not break the law or damage Taiwan's image by resorting to violence and destroying other people's goods and property, MOFA said.